Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Ayako Iino

Tomoko Takahashi

Hideki Kosugi

Sadayuki Iwai

Yoshinori Nakagawa

Takahiro Tamiya

Masako Yoshii

An image forming method of the present invention sequentially transfers toner images formed on image carrier to an intermediate image transfer body one above the other to thereby form a multicolor toner image. An image transfer roller faces the inside surface of the intermediate image transfer body for applying an image transfer bias when a toner image is transferred from the image carrier to the intermediate image transfer body. Rollers are positioned at both sides of the image transfer roller in the axial direction of the image transfer roller in order to control a nip width over which the image carrier and intermediate image transfer body contact each other during image transfer.

Image forming method and apparatus with reduced reverse toner transfer

A charge removing unit is provided in order to control the surface potential of an image bearing element by removing charge from a surface of the image bearing element before a toner image is transferred from the image bearing element to a transfer medium. Surface potential controlling units are provided upstream of a contact area between the image bearing element and the transfer medium in order to control the surface potential of the transfer medium so that a toner on the image bearing element does not shift to the transfer medium.

Method of image transfer, method of and apparatus for image forming

An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image carrier on which a toner image is to be formed, and a sheet support member for conveying a sheet, carrying the toner image thereon, in cooperation with the image carrier. The image carrier and sheet support member are driven such that their surfaces move in the same direction, as seen at a contact position where the two surfaces face each other via the sheet. An electric field, forcing the toner image toward the image carrier, and an electric field, forcing it toward the sheet, are formed between the surface of the image carrier and that of the sheet at positions upstream and downstream, respectively, of the contact position in the direction of movement of the sheet.

Image forming apparatus for reducing toner scatter

Each of a plurality of developing units accommodates toner of different color. Toner images of the different colors are formed on corresponding image carriers and sequentially transferred onto an image transfer medium. Toner remaining on the image carriers is recovered after transfer of toner image of particular color. The toner recovered is supplied to corresponding developing unit for reuse. A controller controls the operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller starts a self-diagnosis mode when receiving an interruption signal. The self-diagnosis mode includes detecting how the toners of different colors are mixed in each developing unit.

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Kanagawa, Japan

Ayako Iino